onomic lists are lacking excepting that of Helfrich et al. (1975) 

 which records the fishes of Pala Lagoon, and a list of freshwater 

 fishes from Tutuila by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 4 



COLLECTION AND IDENTIFICATION 

 OF FISHES 



Collections were made in a wide range of marine, brackish, and 

 freshwater habitats during the present study. Smaller fishes were 

 taken primarily with an ichthyocide (rotenone) while large ones 

 were usually speared. Specimens were also obtained through the 

 use of nets and hook-and-line as well as by purchase from local 

 markets and donation from fishermen. Because the efforts of Jor- 

 dan, Kellogg, Schultz, and other early collectors were confined 

 largely to tidepools, streams, and shallow inshore areas, collecting 

 efforts for the present study were concentrated in deeper water at 

 depths of 10 to 75 m using scuba and to 500 m with hook-and- 

 line. 



Care was taken to obtain accurate and current identification for 

 each species. The assistance of individuals specializing in the tax- 

 onomy of certain families or genera was sought at every oppor- 

 tunity. Taxonomic specialists were also asked to review species 

 lists, update synonymies, and provide additional species records 

 for Samoa. Their participation is an essential part of this study 

 because the taxonomy of Indo-Pacific fishes is fragmentary and 

 under constant revision as evidenced by the number of recent 

 species descriptions and generic revisions cited at the end of this 

 paper. 



The list recorded herein is still preliminary and subject to 

 nomenclatural change resulting from future taxonomic research. 

 It is also incomplete in that numerous species are identified only 

 to genus and because many fishes, particularly those inhabiting 

 deeper water and restricted habitats, probably remain un- 

 collected. 



Most of the specimens upon which this study is based are hous- 

 ed in the Jean P. Haydon Museum of American Samoa. 

 Undescribed and rare species, as well as those of questionable 

 identity, were donated to the taxonomists who assisted with their 

 identification. Subsequently, these and other specimens have been 

 deposited within the collections of larger museums where they are 

 accessible for wider study. 



Several species recorded from Samoa by earlier authors were 

 not collected or observed during the present study. The records of 

 Jordan and Seale (1906) and Schultz (1943) were confirmed 

 through examination of specimens deposited at the U.S. National 

 Museum. The records of Seale (1935) were verified at the Califor- 

 nia Academy of Sciences. Samoan specimens were also examined 

 at the B. P. Bishop Museum. Unfortunately, it was not possible to 

 examine the specimens upon which the unconfirmed records of 

 Schmeltz (1865-79), Kner and Steindachner (1866), Kner (1868), 

 Steindachner (1870, 1901, 1906), Giinther (1871-1910), and Pohl 

 (1884) are based. Correspondence with taxonomic specialists has 

 resulted in the synonymy and invalidation of many of these 

 records and most of those remaining probably deserve a similar 

 fate. 



SAMOAN NAMES 



Existing lists of Samoan fish names are incomplete and out- 



'U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1981. American Samoa stream inventory, 

 island of Tutuila, American Samoa water resources study, 122 p. U.S. Army 

 Corps of Engineers, Fort Shafter, Honolulu, HI 96858. 



dated. Jordan and Seale's (1906) list is the most widely used but 

 many of their names were deemed incorrect or were not recogniz- 

 ed by the committee formed by the author to obtain Samoan 

 names. Jordan and Seale's volume includes a "Glossary of the 

 Principle Words Composing Native Names of Samoan Fishes" by 

 W. E. Safford which is still very useful, however. The best 

 reference for Samoan names is that of Demandt (1913). He in- 

 cluded an alphabetical listing of Samoan names and their applica- 

 tion plus a phylogenetic listing of the scientific names and cor- 

 responding Samoan names for different size categories. Kramer 

 (1903) also listed Samoan names. 



The Samoan fish names listed herein were obtained primarily 

 from a committee of four older fishermen from Tutuila, Ta'u, 

 and Savai 'i who are known for their fishing expertise. The group 

 was chaired by a younger fisherman who also acted as translator. 

 Fishes were identified from original and published photographs in 

 conjunction with an examination of preserved specimens. 



Comments on size, habitat, distribution, color, and behavior 

 were provided by the author. A short discussion generally resulted 

 in agreement on the proper name or names. Names listed by 

 Demandt (1913), Jordan and Seale (1906), and others were also 

 discussed and are included if not rejected by the committee. 



There is seldom a one-to-one relationship between fish species 

 and Samoan names. Except for distinctive and common species, a 

 single Samoan name generally applies to a group of related species 

 with similar shapes and color patterns. Names which apply to 

 smaller species groups or to individual species may vary between 

 islands or even from village to village. The more general names 

 applicable to larger species complexes and families, however, tend 

 to be uniform. Many species possess two or more names related to 

 size or color pattern. Again, the names are often shared with 

 closely related species of similar size and color. All names are in- 

 cluded in the present list with comments relative to geographic 

 usage and their application to color variations and size ranges. 



FORMAT 



Species composing the checklist are listed under their respective 

 families which are arranged in approximate phylogenetic order ac- 

 cording to the system of Greenwood et al. (1966). The common 

 English name for the family is listed in association with its scien- 

 tific name. Samoan names which apply to the family as a whole 

 and taxonomic comments and assistance are included and 

 acknowledged under the family heading. 



Genera and species are listed alphabetically within their respec- 

 tive families and in association with the species author and date of 

 description. An asterisk (*) in the left margin indicates the present 

 author's inability to confirm the validity of the published record. 

 Samoan names are listed in boldface type immediately following 

 the scientific name. If previously recorded from Samoa, the 

 species name is followed by a reference to the first record in- 

 cluding the name listed in the publication even if it was a misiden- 

 tification. Synonyms used by Jordan and Seale (1906) and Schultz 

 (1943) are noted for easy reference to these important studies. Ad- 

 ditional synonyms are also listed for some entries but the reader is 

 referred to Jordan and Seale (1906), Fowler (1928, 1931a, 1934, 

 1949), and the recent literature listed in the Literature Cited of this 

 report for comprehensive synonymies. 



Recent taxonomic opinions and changes are also noted under 

 the species headings. Many have not been published but are in- 

 cluded in an attempt to make the list as current as possible. For 

 species with color patterns that vary with age and sex, synonyms 



